I found out that neither the memory nor the latex foam I purchased have PBDE flame retardant ini them. However, the rep at the latex foam factory that I talked to said that all latex smells like what it is -- rubber -- and that cannot be helped. He suggested spraying it with Fabreze (air freshener) and that this sometimes helps. Other people have recently told me that some folks are simply allergic to latex even if they don't touch it directly (although I had read that so-called latex allergies are usually an allergy not to the latex but to the powder that is put on items such as latex gloves to keep them from getting stuck together or to help them slide onto the hand). So what am I reacting to?
I still think I should not have to eat the $1500 for the mattress since they said at the Foam Creations store that their mattresses do not have a permanent smell. And I am not interesting in just masking the smell with another chemical. I will probably sell the mattress and perhaps the entire Cal King bed. It's too big for me anyway.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Prius Multi Function Display update
I found a web site that shows how to fix the MFD. Turns out there is a bad solder joint on one of the circuit boards inside the computer that sits behind the screen. I will try the fix and report back. It takes some doing to remove the dash, then the MFD and then take out the affected printed circuit board, but I'll give it a whirl. I have never heard back from anyone at Toyota of Berkeley. The repair site is here:
http://www.techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/mfd/
http://www.techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/mfd/
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Prius broken Multi-Function-Display update
I have not yet heard from Toyota of Berkeley's owner, Tim Southwick. I wrote the letter in May of 2007 and it has been over seven months (see letter in a previous post). So I have contacted the Toyota Customer Experience hot line (800-331-4331) and had several conversations with a woman named Robin. She has been very courteous and diligent about getting back to me. After about five calls, including calls she made to the national and regional offices of Toyota, she informed me of the bad news. This I find hard to believe, and you may also. Toyota is not going to give me a break on the MFD replacement. Well, actually, they claim that the $850 or so they want to replace it IS a break already, and that a new unit is over $3,000. This is a factory refurb unit they want to sell me. I insisted that I had read on the Priuschat site that people had gotten much better deals, even no charge or $200 or so, and Robin confirmed this. However, she said the customer cited in that post had purchased five Toyotas from that dealer so they were doing the loyal customer a big favor. I said that this is ridiculous. The MFD is known to be bad in the 2004 Prius model year and they often fail. (Toyota technical service bulletin TSB #EL002-05 details this issue.) She said there were nothing they can do for me. I have to say that I'm very disappointed in Toyota, and in Toyota of Berkeley particularly. I asked Robin to have someone from Toyota of Berkeley at least phone me to tell me the news and respond to my letter. But so far there has been no call. It's been a few weeks now. I have no intention of paying $850 to have Toyota repair a piece of equipment that has a known defect, and that there is even a technical service bulletin for. Toyota should replace these free of charge when they come in broken in the way that is the known and expected failure mode, in my opinion! This does not speak well of the Prius, nor of Toyota USA.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Memory foam update
I have definitely determined with the help of my BioSET allergist that I am allergic to the memory foam mattress I paid $1500 for from Foam Creations in Albany, California. This mattress is 6" of natural latex (NaturaLux from http://www.sleepcomp.com/), and 3" of memory foam from
Foamex (http://www.foamex.com/). What I bought is called "300-10." I have written to both companies to ask if they use PBDEs.
FYI, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDE, are a flame retardant. For years, manufacturers have used chemical additives to reduce the flammability of everyday items, from computer casings to carpet pads to foam cushions in chairs and couches. Some of the more widely used of these additives are polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs. In lab tests with rodents, some PBDEs have been linked to problems in brain development and thyroid hormones. Most of these problems stem from pre-natal exposure and exposure soon after birth. The health effects appear to be permanent. PBDE levels in humans are about 10 to 100 times higher in the U.S., the world’s largest producer and consumer of PBDEs, than in Europe. Scientists say North American levels appear to be rising at an exponential rate, doubling every two to five years, while countries that have banned their use have seen levels decrease. U.S. levels of PBDEs are rising. Studies have found them in human blood, fat and breast milk. Breast-feeding appears to overcome some of the effects of harmful chemicals and remains the healthiest way to feed babies.
I went to the store once again to complain about the smell in the mattress that would not go away (I have waited six months) and was told by the owner that over the years he's been selling foam (which is quite a few) that state regulations have slowly mandated that all mattresses be treated with flame retardants. In days of olde, he said, you had a choice of "F" grade (flame retardant) or not. All I know is that I feel very bad when I wake up in the morning, and the smell is pervading the whole bedroom, even though I have been opening the doors and windows all day long for the last six months. I suspect that the latex mattress does not have PBDE or other flame retardant, because it is less flammable and claims to be all natural. Since there is, unfortunately, no return policy on the mattresses from Foam Creations, I will be removing the upper 3" of memory foam to see how that improves things. I will post the replies to my emails to the manufacturers if and when I receive them.
Foamex (http://www.foamex.com/). What I bought is called "300-10." I have written to both companies to ask if they use PBDEs.
FYI, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or PBDE, are a flame retardant. For years, manufacturers have used chemical additives to reduce the flammability of everyday items, from computer casings to carpet pads to foam cushions in chairs and couches. Some of the more widely used of these additives are polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs. In lab tests with rodents, some PBDEs have been linked to problems in brain development and thyroid hormones. Most of these problems stem from pre-natal exposure and exposure soon after birth. The health effects appear to be permanent. PBDE levels in humans are about 10 to 100 times higher in the U.S., the world’s largest producer and consumer of PBDEs, than in Europe. Scientists say North American levels appear to be rising at an exponential rate, doubling every two to five years, while countries that have banned their use have seen levels decrease. U.S. levels of PBDEs are rising. Studies have found them in human blood, fat and breast milk. Breast-feeding appears to overcome some of the effects of harmful chemicals and remains the healthiest way to feed babies.
I went to the store once again to complain about the smell in the mattress that would not go away (I have waited six months) and was told by the owner that over the years he's been selling foam (which is quite a few) that state regulations have slowly mandated that all mattresses be treated with flame retardants. In days of olde, he said, you had a choice of "F" grade (flame retardant) or not. All I know is that I feel very bad when I wake up in the morning, and the smell is pervading the whole bedroom, even though I have been opening the doors and windows all day long for the last six months. I suspect that the latex mattress does not have PBDE or other flame retardant, because it is less flammable and claims to be all natural. Since there is, unfortunately, no return policy on the mattresses from Foam Creations, I will be removing the upper 3" of memory foam to see how that improves things. I will post the replies to my emails to the manufacturers if and when I receive them.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Costco memory foam mattress
Well, I took back the Costco 12" memory foam mattress. It just would not stop smelling. Gotta love Costco, though. They gave me back my $700 no questions asked, nearly 9 months after the purchase.
I went to Foam Creations on Solano Ave in Albany, CA and bought a $1500 combo of 6" of latext foam and 3" of memory foam they say does not offgas. Well, I am allergic to that, it seems, and have ended up sleeping on the couch to get a good night's sleep. I was told by the Foam Creations people that a) they do not allow returns, and b) they have eight customers who have returned Costco mattresses due to smell and are very happy now with Foam Creations mattresses. I went into the store to discuss this after waiting a couple of months for the foam to offgas. The owner promised me it will really finally stop smelling (now he is admitting there is a smell in their products) but that it should not take too long. I have explained to him that I have an immunodefieciency and cannot be exposed to toxics for a whole night and do well with that, so I am surprised he sold me the combination latex and visco-elastic foam. My understanding is that latex is natural rubber and has no offgassing whatsoever. But the memory foam does have some. He had explained that Costco has its foam manufactured in China and Sleep Inovations who imports the mattresses for Costco were not overseeing the curing properly and so the product smells. He explained that his products, however, are made in California and comply with higher standards and therefore do not smell. Well, this has turned out not to be true. I wake up stuffy and feeling quite poorly when on that mattress. I have left the windows and doors open all night to help keep air moving and fresh, but especially if I sleep on my face, I seem to have an increased allergic reaction and am also annoyed by the smell.
I am conducting various tests to see what I can change, such as sleep location, trying an air purifier, etc. In the meantime I am stuck with a non-returnable Cal king size $1500 mattress that smells at least as much as the $700 Costco mattress and frankly is not as comfortable.
I went to Foam Creations on Solano Ave in Albany, CA and bought a $1500 combo of 6" of latext foam and 3" of memory foam they say does not offgas. Well, I am allergic to that, it seems, and have ended up sleeping on the couch to get a good night's sleep. I was told by the Foam Creations people that a) they do not allow returns, and b) they have eight customers who have returned Costco mattresses due to smell and are very happy now with Foam Creations mattresses. I went into the store to discuss this after waiting a couple of months for the foam to offgas. The owner promised me it will really finally stop smelling (now he is admitting there is a smell in their products) but that it should not take too long. I have explained to him that I have an immunodefieciency and cannot be exposed to toxics for a whole night and do well with that, so I am surprised he sold me the combination latex and visco-elastic foam. My understanding is that latex is natural rubber and has no offgassing whatsoever. But the memory foam does have some. He had explained that Costco has its foam manufactured in China and Sleep Inovations who imports the mattresses for Costco were not overseeing the curing properly and so the product smells. He explained that his products, however, are made in California and comply with higher standards and therefore do not smell. Well, this has turned out not to be true. I wake up stuffy and feeling quite poorly when on that mattress. I have left the windows and doors open all night to help keep air moving and fresh, but especially if I sleep on my face, I seem to have an increased allergic reaction and am also annoyed by the smell.
I am conducting various tests to see what I can change, such as sleep location, trying an air purifier, etc. In the meantime I am stuck with a non-returnable Cal king size $1500 mattress that smells at least as much as the $700 Costco mattress and frankly is not as comfortable.
Prius update
Well, four months later.... I have heard nothing from Toyota of Berkeley. I am going to phone the Toyota Customer Experience line next. I have contacted Channel 4 KPIX TV in the Oakland area about this, and corresponded with the consumer advice people. They claim to have contacted a different Toyota dealership and been told about the "goodwill" situation (that if folks are not bringing in their cars for regular service at the expensive dealership shop they do not get treated very well in gray area situations like this) and that the MFD is out of warranty and that therefore I should have to pay full price for repair. I find the inconsistency over this particular failure and repair to be annoying and to not speak well of Toyota. I believe they should simply issue a recall or a blanket policy to replace malfunctioning multi-display units. If anyone has specific phone numbers and even names of contacts to call about this, I would appreciate it if you were to email me.
Bob
Bob
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Prius update: Broken computer
Bad news about my Prius. The multi-function-display, the touch screen in the middle of the dashboard that has all the goodies on it such as the navigation system has failed, and the dealer has just told me that it will not be replaced, even though many Prius owners have reported this failure. Here is my letter to the local Toyota dealership, explaining my chagrin over the lack of coverage. The failure occured shortly after the 36,000 mile warranty expired. A new unit if $4000. A refurb unit is $825+tax.
5/30/07
5/30/07
ATTN: Tim Southwick Jr., Toyota of Berkeley, CA
In August of 2003, I reserved and paid in advance for a new 2004 Prius that I have been very happy with, for the most part. I was an early adopter of a new technology, buying even before the car was available. I took possession in October, 2004. Having previously driven a Honda EV+, I was all in favor of electrics and hybrids. I am an author of over 40 books about computers and technology, and have written over 100 magazine articles about high technology, and have promoted the Prius actively since happily purchasing it from Marty Zeitman at your dealership. I have sent numerous people to your dealership to look at Priuses, and probably am responsible for a few of your sales. I myself purchased the full package #6 with all the bells and whistles. It hasn’t been perfect, with the navigation system sometimes leading me astray, for example, but that is to be expected.
At about 35K miles, the multi-display unit began to malfunction. No navgation, no radio, energy system not showing battery level, etc. I’m sure you are aware of this issue. I thought it was a glitch and would clear up, as the car is basically a computer on wheels, and we all know that computers lose their minds sometimes. Since I write books about computers, I know all about that! I just waited and hoped the problem would clear up, but it did not. I Googled about, read the Prius forums, and found that lo and behold I was not the only person with this problem! In fact, it's happening on 2004 Highlanders and Land Cruisers with the navigation system, and on 2004 Prius with or without the navigation system. I even hear there a TSB #EL002-05 which identifies this problem, which means
After realizing this was not going to clear up, I was about 5K miles past the warranty. I brought my Prius into your dealership today for reprogramming (since I received a TSB recall, called SSC 50P), and had it all checked out. Repair team captain Ray Prasad told me that it was indeed defective and I would not be covered, and I could have a refurb unit installed for $800 or so, plus tax. I was not happy about this, and so I then had a long conversation with Dave, your shop manager, who explained that because I had not come in for regular service at your dealership, I was not favorably looked upon for an out of-warranty repair of the MFD. I said I did not understand this policy, since I had already given the dealership quite a large sum to purchase the car. He explained that this was essentially irrelevant. He said that good will was dependent upon bringing a car into the dealership for service. (Apparently the good will of brining you $28,000 has very short legs.) Oddly enough, he then went on to explain that actually the dealership lost money doing oil changes because of the labor costs. I explained that I was getting my oil changes for $15 when I supply the Mobil 1 5W-30 that I like to put in my cars, and that even includes a filter, so we were both better off if I got my oil changes elsewhere. I also said that last time I asked for a tire rotation, his shop refused to do it because there was not enough tread on the tires. At that time, I felt pretty rudely treated by Ray, who grilled me about where I was getting my service done, which is another reason I had not returned for regular service, by the way.
I feel I came to Toyota of Berkeley in 2003 in good faith, and paid MSRP for a car I had never even seen before. I did not haggle, or even try. I paid $28,000 cash. This was the first new car I have ever bought. I sold my Nissan 300ZX and Audi 5000 to be able to afford this. Now this car seems has a known defect that was not recalled by
I look forward to your reply, and will await it prior to contacting regional or national Toyota Customer Service.
Sincerely,
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